Students Honor the Legacy of Classmate Joshua Erani

When 18-year-old Lillie Rosen heard the devastating news that her friend Josh Erani was in a serious car accident, she believed that he would ultimately pull through. 

“He was so strong, I thought he would overcome this,” said Lillie, a senior at Alexander-Smith Academy. “And then [my mom] informed me he had taken a turn, and nobody knew what was happening. She told me the next morning he passed, and I completely fell apart.” 

Josh Erani passed away on Sunday, April 19 as a result of a weather-related car accident. The well-rounded, college-bound senior had spent his early years in Houston before moving to Newton, MA with his family seven years ago. 

Before moving to Massachusetts, Josh attended Beth Yeshurun Day School. Although many of his classmates had not seen him since he left Houston, they were cut deeply by Josh’s sudden passing. 

In fact, only one day after Josh died, the more than 30 students who graduated fifth grade with Josh in 2013 gathered on Zoom for a virtual service in his honor. Every one of his classmates attended the service – even those who had not spoken to Josh for years – a testament to Josh’s ability to make everyone feel seen, even as a child.

“I would describe Josh as one of the most selfless and generous individuals I’ve ever met,” said Lillie, who met Josh at Beth Yeshurun and has kept in touch with him since he left Houston. “He’d do anything to put a smile on someone’s face. He’d make you feel really loved and special.”

Josh Erani passed away on Sunday, April 19 at 18 years old as a result of a weather-related car accident. Though he moved to Massachusetts before starting middle school, his fifth grade classmates from Beth Yeshurun Day School still remember him fondly for his optimism, humility and loving nature. 

During the Zoom call on Monday evening, students had a chance to share their memories of Josh and simply heal together. Led by Lillie’s twin brother Sam Rosen, along with their Beth Yeshurun classmate Peter Berry, the call lasted for over an hour and ended with a moment of silence.  

“When we finished, nobody could leave,” said Peter. “For a lot of people, it was hard to hang up. It was a special moment.”

The speed with which the Zoom call came together – within hours of students hearing of the tragedy – signals not only the power of technology but also the strong impact Josh had on his elementary school classmates.  

The call was orchestrated after some of Josh’s former classmates, including the Rosens and Peter, posted their condolences to the family on social media. Quickly, the news of the tragedy spread, and one student started a group text including everyone from the graduating fifth grade class at Beth Yeshurun. 

Though no individual student was in touch with the entire class, everyone had at least one person’s number, said Lillie, so the chat quickly grew in size. On the text thread, people posted pictures of Josh and comforted one another. 

Once the Zoom service was suggested, it seemed to instantaneously come together. 

“It was almost instinctual,” said Lillie. “It was a nice way to memorialize Josh.” 

Peter said classmates on the call consistently remembered Josh as positive, humble and family-oriented, with a good sense of humor. Peter shared a memory of being in Hebrew class and seeing Josh run up and down the hallways holding a desk over his head for no reason. “It was just hilarious,” Peter says.

He also shared that every day after school, Josh would embrace his younger sister Sarah in carpool. “That’s a very distinct memory I have,” Peter says. 

In addition to Sarah, Josh is survived by siblings, Joseph and Rachel, and his parents Dr. David and Diana Erani; mom Diana was a freelance writer for The Buzz Magazines in the past. The family held a virtual service for Josh on Wednesday afternoon. More than 500 people attended, testing Zoom’s participant limits. 

Josh is remembered as being dedicated to his faith. When he moved to Massachusetts, he joined BBYO (B’nai Brith Youth Organization) and in 2017 he established his own chapter of the organization. Unbeknownst to Peter, Josh named the chapter “Berry AZA,” after Berry’s parents who died tragically in a car accident in 2011.
 
“I found out [about the BBYO chapter] on the Zoom call,” Peter said, clearly still moved by the selfless gesture. “He never brought it up. That’s just a testament to his character. All we can do now is honor him and his legacy.”  

Editor’s note: Read Josh Erani’s obituary here.